Board revisits code

Newport’s code of student conduct has been under scrutiny in recent months by board members aiming to create one consistent code for all grades.

Currently, codes of conduct for the middle and high schools can be found in student handbooks. The codes outline common student misbehaviors and possible consequences, depending on frequency and severity. The middle school and high school codes mostly are identical with some differences based on age, according to administrators.

“For instance, the middle school code does not address driving to school without a parking permit because it doesn’t happen at that level,” director of education services Joe Stroup said. Stroup added that administrators review the handbooks annually.

Elementary students do not receive handbooks, but discipline information for Newport Elementary is listed in the school calendar.

At a meeting of the school board policy committee last summer, some members proposed scrapping the current handbooks and creating one to cover kindergarten through 12th grade. Ultimately, the committee agreed to continue with the existing handbooks while forming a separate committee to develop one code of conduct that outlines clear and consistent consequences for misbehavior at all levels.

School board member Cheryl Capozzoli asked the status of creating the handbook at the Oct. 15 board meeting.

Stroup reported that a committee meeting had been held with teachers, staff and administrators participating. He said the next meeting would be at 3 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the elementary school.

Capozzoli recommended looking at discipline policies from Greenwood and West Shore school districts as examples to emulate. “There’s a need for consistency in what we expect from our students,” she said.

Stroup said after the meeting that some differences in codes of conduct should be considered because “you deal with your younger students much differently than you would a middle school or high school student from a discipline standpoint because of their age. For instance, recess restriction is a big consequence at the elementary level. High school and middle school students do not have recess, so after-school detention is our most typical consequence.”

Also under review is a policy on bullying/cyberbullying. A draft updates the 2009 version with a definition of cyberbullying and stronger reporting requirements for adults. It can be found on the district website under “Policies—Drafts in review for 30 days.”